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Buildings
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Human Factor on Construction Safety
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Human Factor on Construction Safety

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Construction Management, and Computers & Digitization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 12061

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mahdi Safa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston, Katy Academic Building, 22400 Grand Circle Blvd., Suite 307, Katy, TX 77449, USA
Interests: construction project management; resilience of infrastructure systems; artificial intelligence in construction; interface management in construction; sustainability in construction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Kelly Weeks

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Management, Marketing and General Business, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX 77705, USA
Interests: management to organizations; business computer applications; marketing management; international business; managerial leadership; seminars in research; economics of transportation; strategic management; maritime supply chain management; production operations and logistics management; personnel management; supply chain management; global logistics
Dr. Siavash Zamiran

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston, Katy Academic Building, 22400 Grand Circle Blvd., Suite 307, Katy, TX 77449, USA
Interests: probabilistic seismic hazard analysis; soil–pipe interaction; seismic behavior of retaining walls; wellbore stability; computational geomechanics; ground subsidence due to underground mining
Prof. Dr. Yuntian Wu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston, Katy Academic Building, 22400 Grand Circle Blvd., Suite 307, Katy, TX 77449, USA
Interests: large-scale experimental and computational simulation of material/structural failure; condition assessment of civil infrastructure; design and construction of hazard resilient infrastructure systems using high-performance materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue addresses the critical role of human factors in enhancing safety on construction sites, where the use of cranes, scaffolding, and heavy machinery presents significant risks. Research shows that human error is a leading cause of workplace accidents, accounting for up to 90% of serious incidents, as noted by the National Safety Council. Key human factors influencing construction safety include safety code violations, where expediency may lead workers and managers to bypass necessary regulations. Additionally, while technological advancements have mitigated some risks, miscalculations continue to result in severe structural issues. Inadequate training further compounds these challenges, leaving personnel unprepared to operate complex machinery safely. Oversights and lapses in judgment, often dismissed as minor errors, can lead to catastrophic outcomes, such as premature load releases that threaten the safety of others. The responsibility for ensuring a safe work environment lies with construction site owners and managers. Ignoring these human factors not only endangers workers but also exposes stakeholders to legal liabilities. Therefore, a thorough examination of these issues is essential for developing effective safety protocols and reducing accidents within the construction industry, which furtheer highlights the importance of this Special Issue.

Dr. Mahdi Safa
Dr. Kelly Weeks
Dr. Siavash Zamiran
Prof. Dr. Yuntian Wu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • human factors
  • construction safety
  • accidents
  • human error
  • training
  • compliance and legal liability
  • risk management

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 1519 KB  
Article
A Study on AI-Empowered Behavior Risk Identification and Early Warning in Nuclear Power Engineering Construction
by Wenzhao Zhao, Xia Li, Kai Yu, Chunfu Xu, Jianzhan Gao, Kai Xiong and Pingping Liu
Buildings 2026, 16(6), 1178; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16061178 - 17 Mar 2026
Viewed by 330
Abstract
Any risks arising during the construction phase of nuclear power projects become permanently embedded in the power station’s lifecycle, evolving into inherent and difficult-to-alter potential hazards. Consequently, identifying behavioral risks in this phase is critical to the successful delivery of nuclear power engineering [...] Read more.
Any risks arising during the construction phase of nuclear power projects become permanently embedded in the power station’s lifecycle, evolving into inherent and difficult-to-alter potential hazards. Consequently, identifying behavioral risks in this phase is critical to the successful delivery of nuclear power engineering projects. This paper proposes a behavior risk identification and early warning methodology for nuclear power construction operations based on artificial intelligence algorithms. The research employs text mining techniques to construct a risk indicator system for nuclear power construction operations; based on the You Only Look Once (YOLOv8) algorithm, it incorporates modules such as Deformable Convolutional Network (DCN), Generalized Lightweight Attention Network (GELAN), Efficient Channel Attention (ECA), and Atrous Spatial Pyramid Pooling (ASPP) to develop the DCN -GELAN-ECA- ASPP-YOLO for Nuclear Power Engineering (DGEAYoLo-NPE) model, and designs and develops a supporting behavior risk identification and early warning methodology. Results show that the precision of nuclear power construction behavioral risk detection reaches 94.3%, with a 2.2% improvement in precision. This study confirms that artificial intelligence technology can effectively enhance the behavior risk prevention and control capabilities of nuclear power construction operations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Factor on Construction Safety)
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15 pages, 511 KB  
Article
Effects of the Utilization of Risk Assessment Systems on Construction Workers’ Safety Consciousness, Safety Attitude, and Safety Behavior
by Seulki Lee, Youngho Choi, Daeil Kim, Junhyeok Kim and Jungho Yu
Buildings 2026, 16(3), 569; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16030569 - 29 Jan 2026
Viewed by 431
Abstract
Despite ongoing improvements in safety regulations and management practices, the construction industry continues to experience high rates of occupational accidents, highlighting the need for more effective preventive safety management. Although risk assessment systems have been introduced to address limitations of conventional document-oriented practices, [...] Read more.
Despite ongoing improvements in safety regulations and management practices, the construction industry continues to experience high rates of occupational accidents, highlighting the need for more effective preventive safety management. Although risk assessment systems have been introduced to address limitations of conventional document-oriented practices, empirical evidence on differences in workers’ safety-related outcomes in real construction settings remains limited. This study examined whether differences exist in safety consciousness, safety attitude, and safety behavior between construction workers who use a risk assessment system and those who do not. Group differences were analyzed using Welch’s t-tests, with effect sizes reported as Hedges’ g, and supplementary item-level analyses were conducted to explore underlying patterns. The results indicate that system users reported higher levels of safety consciousness, safety attitude, and safety behavior than non-users, with consistently large between-group differences across all three constructs. Item-level analyses showed more pronounced differences in proactive safety engagement, safety-first value orientation, and participatory safety practices. Rather than emphasizing causal effects, these findings are interpreted as reflecting differences in safety-related cognition, evaluative orientations, and practices across contrasting safety management and information contexts, providing context-specific insight into proactive safety management in construction settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Factor on Construction Safety)
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25 pages, 632 KB  
Article
The Productivity–Safety Nexus: The Impact of Human Factors on Operational Efficiency in Construction Projects
by Kelly Weeks, Mahdi Safa and Siavash Zamiran
Buildings 2026, 16(1), 87; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16010087 - 24 Dec 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1949
Abstract
This paper explores the relationship between human factors in construction safety and their effects on operational efficiency. It investigates how safety incidents resulting from human errors influence productivity, project timelines, and overall costs, while examining how strategic safety management can improve organizational performance. [...] Read more.
This paper explores the relationship between human factors in construction safety and their effects on operational efficiency. It investigates how safety incidents resulting from human errors influence productivity, project timelines, and overall costs, while examining how strategic safety management can improve organizational performance. The study employs a mixed-methods design that combines quantitative statistical modeling with qualitative case analysis to ensure both empirical rigor and contextual depth (R2 = 0.87, p < 0.001). Data were drawn from four construction firms, encompassing a sample of 120 employees across residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects. Variables such as training hours, fatigue levels, safety compliance, and technology adoption were analyzed against key operational performance indicators, including rework hours, schedule adherence, and productivity scores. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 29 and AMOS 28, incorporating descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and mediation testing to examine the pathways linking human factors, safety performance, and operational productivity. Reliability and validity were confirmed through Cronbach’s alpha and variance inflation factor (VIF) diagnostics. Results demonstrate that safety compliance acts as a mediating variable connecting training, fatigue, and technology adoption to measurable business outcomes. By providing a quantitative framework that links human factor management to operational efficiency, this research contributes to both construction management theory and practice, emphasizing safety as a strategic driver of performance and competitiveness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Factor on Construction Safety)
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20 pages, 575 KB  
Article
Causal Model Analysis of the Impact of Formalism, Psychological Contract and Safety Coaching on Safety Compliance and Participation in Taiwan
by Chi-Jan Huang, Tsung-Lin Wu and Hsiang-Te Liu
Buildings 2025, 15(22), 4055; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15224055 - 10 Nov 2025
Viewed by 749
Abstract
This study primarily investigates the influence of safety coaching, psychological contract, and safety knowledge on safety compliance and safety participation among construction workers. Specifically, the research examines the effect of safety formalism on workers’ psychological contract, which in turn influences their safety behaviors [...] Read more.
This study primarily investigates the influence of safety coaching, psychological contract, and safety knowledge on safety compliance and safety participation among construction workers. Specifically, the research examines the effect of safety formalism on workers’ psychological contract, which in turn influences their safety behaviors on-site. The issue of construction workers not strictly adhering to safety regulations is a topic that has rarely been explored by past researchers of construction safety behavior. To address this, the study collected 99 valid samples and utilized confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to confirm the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. A structural equation model (SEM) was then employed to test the established hypotheses. The research findings confirm, as follows: Safety formalism negatively influences psychological contract. Safety coaching positively influences safety knowledge. Safety knowledge and resilience positively influence both safety compliance and safety participation. Safety compliance positively influences safety participation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Factor on Construction Safety)
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15 pages, 4308 KB  
Article
Integrating Panic Behavior into Agent-Based Subway Evacuation Simulations
by Hyuncheol Kim, Jaehyeok Choi, Byungtae Ahn and Jaemin Lee
Buildings 2025, 15(21), 3990; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15213990 - 5 Nov 2025
Viewed by 1477
Abstract
Subway systems are highly vulnerable to disasters because of their confined underground structures and limited evacuation routes, making accurate evacuation analysis essential for reducing casualties. Most existing studies overlook panic behavior, leading to unrealistic assessments of evacuation efficiency. This study develops a modeling [...] Read more.
Subway systems are highly vulnerable to disasters because of their confined underground structures and limited evacuation routes, making accurate evacuation analysis essential for reducing casualties. Most existing studies overlook panic behavior, leading to unrealistic assessments of evacuation efficiency. This study develops a modeling framework that integrates panic behavior into agent-based subway evacuation simulations. The framework incorporates three behavioral factors: reaction delays to emergency cues, hesitation at decision points, and irrational route choices. Simulation experiments were conducted under different occupancy conditions, and results from panic-integrated and non-panic scenarios were compared. Findings show that the inclusion of panic significantly prolongs evacuation time, with delays of up to 30% in full-scale scenarios due to congestion and route errors. These outcomes demonstrate that panic behavior exerts a decisive influence on evacuation dynamics and should not be neglected in simulation studies. Incorporating panic into evacuation modeling provides a more realistic basis for designing safer subway systems and developing effective emergency response strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Factor on Construction Safety)
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17 pages, 1827 KB  
Article
Research on Cognitive Load of Tunnel Construction Workers in Different Environments Based on EEG
by Zongyong Guo, Chengming Xia, Huadi Tao, Shoujie Huang and Yanqun Yang
Buildings 2025, 15(16), 2920; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15162920 - 18 Aug 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1574
Abstract
The tunnel construction environment is complex, and workers’ cognitive load directly affects safety and efficiency, making a dynamic assessment urgently needed. This study aims to explore the cognitive load of tunnel construction workers under different working environments using EEG technology. In the experimental [...] Read more.
The tunnel construction environment is complex, and workers’ cognitive load directly affects safety and efficiency, making a dynamic assessment urgently needed. This study aims to explore the cognitive load of tunnel construction workers under different working environments using EEG technology. In the experimental design, subjects adapted to the virtual reality (VR) environment and received instructions before wearing a wireless EEG system and VR equipment to begin the formal experiment. Each subject underwent four rounds of experiments, corresponding to four different scenarios: control, night shift, noise, and confined space. Each round included three tasks of low, medium, and high difficulty. Analysis of EEG data showed that tunnel construction tasks in different environments significantly affected cognitive load, especially during night shifts and in confined spaces, with cognitive load increasing significantly with task difficulty. The results provide a theoretical basis for optimizing the management of tunnel construction environments and task design. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Factor on Construction Safety)
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Review

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53 pages, 11836 KB  
Review
Analysis of Cognitive Biases in Construction Health and Safety in New Zealand
by Mahesh Babu Purushothaman, Pricilia Jessica and Funmilayo Ebun Rotimi
Buildings 2025, 15(7), 1033; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15071033 - 24 Mar 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4321
Abstract
The construction industry’s complexity and high-risk nature present significant decision-making challenges, often resulting in errors that jeopardise health and safety performance. Cognitive biases can further distort risk assessments and influence decision-making, ultimately affecting safety behaviours and outcomes. Although numerous studies have explored cognitive [...] Read more.
The construction industry’s complexity and high-risk nature present significant decision-making challenges, often resulting in errors that jeopardise health and safety performance. Cognitive biases can further distort risk assessments and influence decision-making, ultimately affecting safety behaviours and outcomes. Although numerous studies have explored cognitive biases in construction, there remains a lack of a comprehensive understanding regarding how these biases interact with key decision factors related to health and safety. This study aimed to advance sustainable health and safety practices within the construction industry by examining the consequences and interplay of cognitive biases and essential decision factors through a systematic literature review. Two hundred and eighty-three articles published between 2018 and 2024 were analysed, with forty-five selected for inclusion. The network analysis findings identify key decision factors, reinforcing loops, and critical paths that affect health and safety performance, illustrating how cognitive biases influence risk perception, decision complexity, and workplace safety behaviours. The insights gained from this study highlight the challenges and the potential for improvement. They serve as a foundation for researchers, construction safety professionals, and policymakers to develop targeted interventions that mitigate cognitive biases, enhance risk perception, and strengthen decision-making frameworks, ultimately improving health and safety performance in the construction sector. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Factor on Construction Safety)
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